Lot 73

First Broadside Facsimile Printing of "The Autobiography of Abraham Lincoln"

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First Broadside Facsimile Printing of "The Autobiography of Abraham Lincoln"

Estimate: $500 - $700

Current Bid: $180

(2 Bids)

by University Archives
July 28, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
88 Danbury Road
Suite 2A
Wilton, CT, US 06897

Abraham Lincoln
Boston, MA, ca.1872
First Broadside Facsimile Printing of "The Autobiography of Abraham Lincoln"
Broadside

Broadside facsimile printing of "The Autobiography of Abraham Lincoln." Boston: James R. Osgood, 1872. 21.5" x 26.75". With handsome portrait of Lincoln at top center and explanation by Jesse W. Fell in two flanking columns. Text of Lincoln manuscript presented in three columns below. This is the first separate facsimile printing of Lincoln's noted autobiographical sketch originally written in response to a request from Jesse Fell in December 1859. With multiple tears and chips along the margins, and corresponding tape repairs on verso. Exceptionally scarce, the last auction record for this broadside lists a sale in 1894. Uneven toning and soiling. Majority of text remains unaffected. Ideal for display with proper matting.

The facsimile was made in 1872 at the request of Ward H. Lamon who was preparing a biography of Lincoln after consulting with his publisher, James R. Osgood & Company. The resulting composite was made using clippings of Lincoln's hand reading "Hon. J. W. Fell" and "Yours very truly / A. Lincoln." Also added was an emblem and printed statement testifying to the authenticity of the manuscript, signed by David Davis, Lyman Trumbull, and Charles Sumner, dated at Washington D.C., March 20, 1872. The resulting facsimile was included in Lamon's biography and published separately as a broadside, offered here.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 26.75" x 21.5"
  • Medium: Broadside

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000